The Ministry of Interior is contemplating to give residence law violators and absconders a three-month grace period either to leave the country without any ‘restrictions’ or correct their situations, reports Al- Shahed daily quoting reliable Interior Ministry source.

However, the daily did not specify the word ‘restrictions’ if it means without paying the fines. However, such people who leave the country within the specified time limit can legally return to the country on either visit or work visas.

This is just a study by the Ministry of Interior because according to the statistics issued by the ministry there are about 196,000 violators staying illegally in the country and the ministry wants to solve this issue before it snowballs and pose a security risk to the country.

In the meantime, the sources said the Interior Ministry will organize intensive inspections campaigns after such a deadline ends. Those who fail to take advantage of this ‘amnesty’ if the ministry goes along with its study, will be arrested and referred to the concerned authority for appropriate measures to be taken against them.

The daily quoting the source, pointed out the security statistics for felonies and misdemeanors show the involvement of residence law violators in crimes such as thefts and bootlegging. “This file has become a security concern because it saps the energy of the security authorities,” said the source. The source also explained the Interior Ministry will severely punish those who shelter violators.